MS HB1776

Authorizes the City of Gautier to impose a 1% special assessment on retail sales generated by tenants, owners, or occupiers at the Singing River Mall site (approximately 88 acres identified by six specific Jackson County parcel numbers).

Allows the city to use assessment revenue for acquisition, construction, reconstruction, expansion, improvement, furnishing, equipping, maintaining and repairing of properties and infrastructure at the mall site, and for debt service on bonds issued for these purposes.

Requires tenants, owners, or occupiers to pay the assessment by the fifteenth day of the month following the month in which sales were made, based on retail sales reported to the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

Mandates that assessment proceeds be placed in a separate special fund with independent annual audits by a certified public accountant, and requires all leases to include provisions for payment of the assessment.

Expires on July 1, 2024, unless repealed earlier.